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Armstrong Milling Co Ltd. is committed to building a culture of inclusivity and accessibility. Not only is this part of our company culture but opening access to all is imperative to our continued growth and competitiveness as an employer in the bird food industry. We will contribute to a barrier-free Canada for everyone by building an accessibility framework that will support employees andthe public we serve have the best experience possible with our services, products, and facilities. We know creating a barrier-free environment takes time and we are dedicated to the ongoing identification, removal, and prevention of barriers. This is Armstrong Milling's second annual Progress Report under the Accessible Canada Act, measuring our continued progress against the commitments set out in our initial Accessibility Plan published June 1, 2024.
This report was prepared in consultation with our Joint Health and Safety Committee, which includes members with disabilities, and through employee feedback gathered throughout the year.
A summary of initial observation and opportunities include:
· Improving the attraction of persons with disabilities to career opportunities with AMCL.
· Being prepared to provide information in accessible formats when requested.
· Reviewing application and technology design standards of current and future IT equipment and applications to ensure compatibility with accessibility features.
· Initiating a process where there is a “through an accessibility lens” approach to the design and assessment of facilities, procurement procedures, company programs, new initiatives, and on-going services.
Contact: Human Resources
Mailing Address: 1021 Haldimand Rd 20, Hagersville, On. N0A 1H0
Email: info@armstrongmilling.com
Phone: 905-779-2473
Web: armstrongbirdfood.com
Armstrong Milling Co Ltd. is committed to ensuring our organization and the services weprovide are accessible to all, including persons with disabilities. Our Accessibility journey will be developed by consultation with persons withdisabilities.
As required by the Accessible Canada Act, we will publish a progress report every year that measures our progress against our commitments. We will review and update our Accessibility Plan every three years.
The“employment” area ensures that candidates and employees with disabilities and those who experience barriers are supported throughout the entire employment lifecycle.
AMCL has identified the following barriers that candidates and employees with disabilities may encounter:
The Barrier: There is a need to expand our understanding of the range and variety of accommodation options available to persons with disabilities within our organization and for those looking for employment with us.
Progress Report:
· Managers have completed refresher training on the accommodation SOP’s developed in 2025, and HR has incorporated accessibility screening questions into the onboarding checklist. The JHSC conducted a follow-up gap review of employee accessibility awareness training and closed three identified gaps.
· The FAF (functional abilities form) has been rolled out to all hiring managers and is now a standard part of the accommodation workflow for both new hires and existing employees.
The "built environment" area ensures that workspaces and the work environment are accessible for all.
The Barrier: Some spaces within the office and plant may limit the mobility of employees and visitors with disabilities.
Progress Report:
· The office access ramp installed in 2025 has been inspected and is now fully operational.
· The designated first-floor workstation has been equipped with adjustable-height furniture and is now available for booking by employees or visitors who require ground-level accommodation.
· The accessible/unisex washroom has been upgraded with additional grabbars and a lowered hand dryer, based on feedback received from an employee using a mobility device.
“Information and communication technologies” are various technological tools used to send, store, create, share or exchange information.
The Barrier: Some of the software used in the company have accessibility capabilities that are not being used in an accessible way.
Progress Report:
Building on the text-to-speech tools, screen readers, adaptive keyboards,and adjustable screen settings deployed in 2025, IT has completed an audit of the accessibility settings across all shared workstations and standardized default configurations. A quick-reference guide has been added to the intranet so employees can self-enable accessibility features on their own devices.
This area requires that organizations provide barrier free access for the public, clients and employees to all the communications that the Company produces for this audience.
The Barrier: The company does not have a consistent process to ensure alternative formats of communication that it issues to employees and other stakeholders are available and provided in a timely manner.
Progress Report:
The accessibility policy on alternative formats has been distributed company-wide and is now referenced in the onboarding package for all new employees. HR has added a standing reminder to include a note about alternative-format requests on all major company-wide communications (e.g. policy updates, benefits changes).
The “procuring (buying) goods, services and facilities” area ensures that accessibility is considered at the beginning of the buying process.
The Barrier: Armstrong Milling Co Ltd.’s procurement procedures and practices inconsistently take into consideration accessibility requirements.
Progress Report:
The GAP analysis process for procurement has been fully integrated into the purchase requisition form, so every new purchase request now includes a required accessibility considerations field before it can be submitted for approval.
When designing and delivering the Company’s internal and external programs and services, accessibility considerations must be part of the process right from the very start.
The Barrier: Currently policies are underdevelopment for ensuring all programs, processes and services take accessibility into account.
Progress Report:
· The accessibility-lens training has been delivered to all department heads, and the HR accessibility checklist is now a required sign-off step for any new or revised company policy, program, or service before final approval.
· HR has reviewed and updated the accessibility checklist to reflect the Accessible Canada Act's most recent guidance and added a section on digital accessibility considerations.
This area of focus in the Accessible Canada Act covers the transport of people and goods. Vehicles that are used by organizations and regulated by the federal government must take into consideration barriers to operation and provide accommodation to the employee operating the vehicles as needed.
The Barrier: Entering a transport truck and other warehouse vehicles could pose a problem for drivers over time due to the repetition and height of the steps.
Progress Report:
The folding portable steps purchased in 2025 have beendistributed to all transport trucks and warehouse mobile equipment. Drivershave reported a measurable reduction in strain during entry and exit, and wehave added a step condition check to the pre-trip inspection form.
To align with Armstrong Milling Co Ltd ’s commitment to make our workplace environment accessible to all, we have developed our Accessibility Plan in consultation with our leaders of key areas issues may exist, employees, including those with disabilities.
We gathered feedback and input from our team members by:
• Consulting with our JHSC group (which includes people with disabilities) and 1-1 interviews with employees with disabilities so they can share their current experiences and ideas on future improvement.
• Employee surveys for their feedback on how we can make our company accessible friendly.
• The feedback given by these consultations during this process are covered under “The Barrier” sections in this document. We will continue to survey employees, including those with disabilities and any working groups that have been developed as part of this Accessibility Plan, to measure progress and ensure that we realize the changes we’ve set out to achieve.
Accessibility: Refers to the needs of persons with disabilities being intentionally and thoughtfully considered when products, services and facilities are built or modified so they can be used and enjoyed by all.
Barrier: The Accessible Canada Act defines a barrier as “anything—including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything that is based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice—that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.”
Disability: The Accessible Canada Act defines a disability as “any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment—or afunctional limitation— whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.”
Input and Feedback
AMCL welcomes feedback on our Accessibility Plan and annual Progress Reports from the public, employees, and our stakeholders. This feedback is valuable to help break down accessibility barriers and build on our commitment to accessibility. If you have an inquiry or feedback, please use one of the contact methods below. We will respond to all feedback in a timely manner. If you require support while providing feedback, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Summary of the Accessible Canada Act:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/accessible-canada/act-summary.html
At Armstrong Milling Co Ltd we are committed to making our organization and the services we provide accessible to all, including persons with disabilities. All Canadians have the right to benefit from our services equally and those who work with us have the right to perform their jobs free of barriers.
As required by the Accessible Canada Act, we will publish a status report every year that measures our progress against our commitments. We will also review and update our Accessibility Plan every three years. Progress Reports and updates to our Accessibility Plan will be shaped by consultation with persons with disabilities.
The "employment" area ensures that candidates and employees with disabilities and those who experience barriers are supported throughout the entire employment lifecycle.
AMCL has identified the following barriers that candidates and employees withdisabilities may encounter:
The Barrier: There is a need to expand our understanding of the range and variety of accommodation options available to persons with disabilities within ourorganization and for those looking for employment with us.
Progress Report:
· AMCL has developed SOP’s that helpsmanagers understand their responsibilities in the accommodation process thatguides them on best practices for supporting their employees and how toimplement suitable accommodation.
· Our JHSC has developed an FAF(functional abilities form) and policies for managers to use in conjunctionwith HR to accommodate new hires and existing employees with accessibility challenges.The JHSC continues to work on identifying gaps we may have in educating our employeeson accessibility concerns.
The "built environment" area ensures that workspaces and the work environment are accessible for all.
The Barrier: Some spaces within the office and plant may limit the mobility of employees and visitors with disabilities.
Progress Report:
· AMCL has built an access ramp to allowfull access to our office for people with mobility issues.
· AMCL has created a designatedworkstation on the first floor for employees or visitors with disabilities
· AMCL has created a unisex washroom for persons with disabilities.
“Information and communication technologies” are various technological tools used to send, store, create, share or exchange information.
The Barrier: Some of the software used in the company have accessibility capabilities that are not being used in an accessible way.
Progress Report:
• Deliver and promote user training on accessibility features for employees and visitors.
• Train IT to increase their accessibility knowledge and learn how to adapt our technology for persons with disabilities.
This area requires that organizations provide barrier free access for the public, clients and employees to all the communications that the Company produces for this audience.
The Barrier: The company does not have a consistent process to ensure alternative formats of communication that it issues to employees and other stakeholders are available and provided in a timely manner.
Progress Report:
The company has created anaccessibility policy that outlines the company’s commitment to providinginformation in alternative formats (e.g. large print, braille, audio PDFs)
The “procuring (buying) goods, services and facilities” area ensures that accessibility is considered at the beginning of the buying process.
The Barrier: Armstrong Milling Co Ltd.’s procurement procedures and practices inconsistently take into consideration accessibility requirements.
Progress Report:
Our procurement department is utilizing a GAP analysis when buying goods or services to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities.
When designing and delivering the Company’s internal and external programs and services, accessibility considerations must be part of the process right from the very start.
The Barrier: Currently policies are underdevelopment for ensuring all programs, processes and services take accessibility into account.
Progress Report:
· Structure and ongoing training havebeen created on how to utilize an accessibility lens when creating companypolicies, programs and services.
· HR has created an accessibilitychecklist to ensure key accessibility considerations are taking place.
This area of focus in the Accessible Canada Act covers the transport of people and goods. Vehicles that are used by organizations and regulated by the federal government must take into consideration barriers to operation and provide accommodation to the employee operating the vehicles as needed.
The Barrier: Entering a transport truck and other warehouse vehicles could pose a problem for drivers over time due to the repetition and height of the steps.
Progress Report:
AMCL has purchased small folding portable steps that willreduce the climbing distance for truck and mobile equipment.
To align with Armstrong Milling Co Ltd ’s commitment to make our workplace environment accessibleto all, we have developed our Accessibility Plan in consultation with our leaders of key areas issues may exist, employees, including those with disabilities.
We gathered feedback and input from our team members by:
• Consulting with our JHSCgroup (which includes people with disabilities) and 1-1 interviews withemployees with disabilities so they can share their current experiences andideas on future improvement.
• Employee surveys for their feedback on how we can make our company accessible friendly.
• The feedback given by these consultations during this process are covered under “The Barrier” sections in this document.
We will continue to survey employees, including those with disabilitiesand any working groups that have been developed as part of this AccessibilityPlan, to measure progress and ensure that we realize the changes we’ve set outto achieve.
Accessibility: Refers to the needs of persons with disabilities being intentionally and thoughtfully considered when products, services and facilities are built or modified so they can be used and enjoyed by all.
Barrier: The Accessible Canada Act defines a barrier as “anything—including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything that is based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice—that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.”
Disability: The Accessible Canada Act defines a disability as “any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment—or afunctional limitation— whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.”
Summary of the Accessible Canada Act:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/accessible-canada/act-summary.html
At Armstrong Milling Co Ltd we are committed to making our organization and the services we provide accessible to all, including persons with disabilities. All Canadians have the right to benefit from our services equally and those who work with us have the right to perform their jobs free of barriers.
As required by the Accessible Canada Act, we will publish a status report every year that measures our progress against our commitments. We will also review and update our Accessibility Plan every three years. Progress Reports and updates to our Accessibility Plan will be shaped by consultation with persons with disabilities.
The "employment" area ensures that candidates and employees with disabilities and those who experience barriers are supported throughout the entire employment lifecycle.
The Issue: There is a need to expand our understanding of the range and variety of accommodation options available to persons with disabilities within our organization and for those looking for employment with us.
Actions:
• Develop a framework that helps managers understand their responsibilities in the accommodation process and guides them in supporting their employees and implementing suitable workplace adjustments.
• Develop a work team consisting of managers, employees with disabilities and the JHSC to identify options for a wider range and variety of potential accommodations.
The "built environment" area ensures that workspaces and the work environment are accessible for all.
The Issue: Some spaces within the office and plant may limit the mobility of employees and visitors with disabilities.
Actions:
• Create a ramp access into the side office door as there currently is a step up to allow full access with mobility devices. This project will be completed by December 2024
• Establish a designated work area on the first floor for employees or visitors with disabilities.
“Information and communication technologies” are various technological tools used to send, store, create, share or exchange information.
The Issue: Some of the software used in the company have accessibility capabilities that are not being used in an accessible way.
Actions:
• Deliver and promote user training on accessibility features for employees and visitors.
• Train IT to increase their accessibility knowledge and learn how to adapt our technology for persons with disabilities.
This area requires that organizations provide barrier free access for the public, clients and employees to all the communications that the Company produces for this audience.
The Issue: The company does not have a consistent process to ensure alternative formats of communication that it issues to employees and other stakeholders are available and provided in a timely manner.
Actions:
When asked, we commit to providing alternative formats as soon as possible and within time frames listed in the Accessible Canada Regulations: • Print
• Large print
• Braille
• Audio Format
• An electronic format that’s compatible with technology meant to help people with disabilities.
The “procuring (buying) goods, services and facilities” area ensures that accessibility is considered at the beginning of the buying process.
The Issue: Armstrong Milling Co Ltd.’s procurement procedures and practices inconsistently take into consideration accessibility requirements.
Actions:
• Update procurement procedures and practices to include accessibility checks when buying goods and services to make then accessible for peoples with disabilities.
When designing and delivering the Company’s internal and external programs and services, accessibility considerations must be part of the process right from the very start.
The Issue: Currently policies are underdevelopment for ensuring all programs, processes and services take accessibility into account.
Actions:
• Complete and promote guidelines on how to apply the accessibility lens when reviewing company policies, programs and services. Policy will be completed by the end of July2024
• Create an Accessibility Checklist to help ensure key accessibility considerations are considered. Checklist will be complete by the end of July 2024
• Investigate training on the Accessible Canada Act and Accessible Canada Regulations for those whose role is to develop programs, processes, and procedures.
This area of focus in the Accessible Canada Act covers the transport of people and goods. Vehicles that are used by organizations and regulated by the federal government must take into consideration barriers to operation and provide accommodation to the employee operating the vehicles as needed.
The Issue: Entering a transport truck and other warehouse vehicles could pose a problem for drivers over time due to the repetition and height of the steps.
Actions: Budget for a small inventory of folding steps which can reduce the climbing distance to get into the truck or warehouse equipment.
To align with Armstrong Milling Co Ltd’s commitment to make ourworkplace environment accessible to all, we have developed our AccessibilityPlan in consultation with our employees, including those with disabilities. We
gathered feedback andinput from our team members by:
• Consulting with our JHSCgroup (which includes people with disabilities) and 1-1 interviews withemployees with disabilities so they can share their current experiences andideas on future improvement.
• The feedback given by these consultations during this process are covered under “The Issues” sections in this document.
We will continue to survey employees, including those with disabilities and any working groups that have been developed as part of this Accessibility Plan, to measure progress and ensure that we realize the changes we’ve set out to achieve.
Accessibility: Refers to the needs of persons with disabilities being intentionally and thoughtfully considered when products, services and facilities are built or modified so they can be used and enjoyed by all.
Barrier: The Accessible Canada Act defines a barrier as “anything—including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything that is based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice—that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.”
Disability: The Accessible Canada Act defines a disability as “any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment—or afunctional limitation— whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.”
Summary of the Accessible Canada Act:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/accessible-canada/act-summary.html
